Biography, Class Description, Testimonial
Nikki was born in Trinidad, West Indies, and was known for being an over achiever from the age of 5, when her mother brought home an after-school activities guide, and Nikki chose 5 extra-curricular activities, including, music and karate!!! It was at this arts center that her passion began to grow, and she became the youngest person ever to earn a black belt in the art of Shotokan Karate, as well as one of the youngest members to perform and tour with a national youth steel band orchestra.
At age 8, she moved to NYC, where her dance education began while studying with the Joffrey Ballet School. There, she performed for 2 consecutive years in The Nutcracker at City Center, NYC. After an injury that, at the time, ended her dance career, she began to pursue acting and pursued a B.A. In Theatre Arts at Drew University. It was at university that she began to choreograph, and upon graduation, returned to dance in the forms of jazz funk and hip-hop.
She has since opened for, toured, and performed with artists like Gwen Stefani, Snoop Dogg, Ultra Nate, Kat De Luna, British pop sensations Rouge, DJ Sanj, Shayn, and worked with several independent artists over the years, including Chris Classic. Her choreography for Asian artist Yali Ruan, was internationally noted when the singer won Asia Top Idol. Nikki was signed for a Chrysler/Dodge campaign, and can been seen in several in house and overseas commercials, including international Verizon and Italian wine commercials.
Nikki's passion as a performer is not only limited to dance, but also includes several acting roles both on-stage, as well as within film and television, spanning the British and Bollywood Fashion Awards, as well as for Nickelodeon's own Drake Bell. She even currently passed on a tour for a new children's musical. Nikki thoroughly enjoys teaching and choreographing and is always aspiring to perfect her crafts. She has been repeatedly sought after to choreograph for new independent artists and was even offered a recording contract herself!
Her teaching credits include several NYC studios, such as New Dance Group, Peridance, Ripley Grier, BDC, as well as Dance Educator's of America, a national organization that holds competitions and master classes. With them she judged and taught both National and Regional dance competitions throughout the US. She has helped teach, coach, and choreograph for students who have achieved Platinum Awards. Nikki also has her own fitness and dance classes at NYSC and Crunch fitness throughout NYC. She enjoys traveling and teaching abroad, as well, and is available to teach master classes in Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Jazz, and Fitness.
Nikki enjoys being a faculty member at New Dance Group, teaching her blend of commercial, theatrical, and technical dance to adults and children alike. She is especially proud to have her own company, BLISS, which currently performs throughout New York City. Nikki enjoys challenges and hopes that her desire for constant exploration and change will inspire those she meets to aspire for personal growth as well. |
